In 2004, Phoenix ISL was commissioned by Sonsub S.p.A. to develop an ultrasonic technique for examination of the deck of the oil tanker 'Prestige', which sank to a depth of just under 4,000m off the northwestern tip of Spain in autumn 2002. The aim of the examination was to detect clear areas under the deck that would enable the location of 'hot tapping' points for the subsequent extraction of 14,000 tons of oil from the tanker. This project involved the development and testing of ultrasonic sensors and associated equipment that could withstand the severe environmental conditions for long periods. This enabled the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) operators to scan the deck with confidence and view the ultrasonic data on a notebook PC prior to making an assessment as to the best points for drilling holes in the deck.
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